In an era of rapid globalization and technological advancement, German machine tools enable manufacturers to meet both current and future challenges while driving continuous technological progress. 

What distinguishes the German machine tool industry is not only the quality of its products, but also the comprehensive solutions and services that accompany them. This holistic approach has earned German manufacturers a global reputation for quality, precision, and reliability. As a result, the “Made in Germany” label remains a strong and enduring symbol of excellence. 

Several key factors underpin this lasting success: 

• a highly skilled workforce
• a robust national infrastructure
• a strong network of innovative suppliers
• close collaboration with demanding customers, often resulting in the joint development and testing of new solutions
• pioneering research teams that integrate the latest scientific findings into machine tool development and production

These strengths place the German machine tool industry among the world’s leading producers and exporters, helping customers around the globe achieve and sustain operational excellence. 

South Korea ranks third among Asia’s machine tool markets and is one of the top six players in the global machine tool industry. Lathes, machining centers, presses, and laser machines are among the country’s leading machine tool technologies.

In addition to its remarkably strong and resilient economy — driven by a world-leading electronics industry and supported by an outstanding education system that provides a skilled and adaptable workforce — South Korea also depends on advanced and efficient machine tools from abroad. Roughly one-third of domestic demand is met by imports. Germany is South Korea’s third-largest supplier of machine tool technology, after China and Japan. In 2025, German exports of machine tools, including parts and accessories, to South Korea amounted to €109 million. The main product groups were machining centers, laser and other eroding machines, as well as gear cutting and finishing machines, each accounting for export volumes of between €16 million and €20 million. In addition, milling machines, additive manufacturing solutions, and grinding technology from Germany enjoy strong demand in the South Korean market.

With its broad expertise across the entire spectrum of metalworking, the German machine tool industry remains a trusted and valued partner to South Korea’s industrial sector. German manufacturers regularly showcase their capabilities to local customers at SIMTOS, South Korea’s largest exhibition for manufacturing technology.

VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, represents the interests of Germany’s machine tool industry. In collaboration with the Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems sector of VDMA (German Engineering Federation), VDW supports nearly 300 primarily mid-sized companies, which collectively generate around 90 percent of the industry’s total revenue.

For over 130 years, VDW has served as the industry’s voice to the public, political leaders, business partners, and the academic community. Leveraging its deep expertise, VDW provides its members with valuable insights, advice, and support on a wide range of industry-related issues.

Exhibitions and Trade Fairs

VDW is one of the few industry associations worldwide that organizes exhibitions for the international machine tool industry. With decades of experience, VDW delivers high-quality events under its A fair by VDW seal. Among the flagship events it organizes are:

GrindingHub: The premier international event for grinding technology, held in Stuttgart, Germany. The next edition will take place from May 5 to 8, 2026.

www.grindinghub.de/en

GrindingHub Americas: The GrindingHub Americas will be the first and as yet only trade fair in America dedicated exclusively to grinding technology. As well as GrindingHub Stuttgart, Germany, it is organized by the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), Messe Stuttgart and Swissmem (Swiss Association of the Machinery, Electrical and Metal Industries). The three organizers will bring the successful concept from Germany into the American market. The premiere will take place from May 18 to 20, 2027.

www.messe-stuttgart.de/en/grindinghub-americas

NORTEC: VDW’s own international exhibition for production and manufacturing technologies, organized in cooperation with Messe Stuttgart. The next edition is planned in Hamburg for 2028.

www.messe-stuttgart.de/nortec/en

EMO Hannover: The global trade fair for production technology, hosted on behalf of Cecimo (the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies). The next event is scheduled for 2029.

emo-hannover.com

In addition to organizing exhibitions, VDW supports its members’ participation in key international trade fairs. It helps companies access official joint participation programs supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, providing vital assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to enter new markets.

Contact:
VDW
Phone +49 69 756081-0
vdw@vdw.de
https://vdw.de/en

EMO Hannover is a key event for the manufacturing industry, offering extensive insight into the global market for metalworking technology. It plays a significant role in introducing new products, manufacturing solutions, and services.

EMO Hannover fosters innovation, facilitates important discussions, and supports the development of new business partnerships. Exhibitors include leading global companies from 45 countries, while visitors represent around 140 nations, covering key sectors such as machinery and plant engineering, automotive and its suppliers, aerospace, precision mechanics, shipbuilding, medical technology, tool and mould making, steel, and lightweight construction.

As a central meeting point for industry and production technology, EMO Hannover supports modernization in manufacturing, even after the event. It provides a comprehensive overview for participants, helping them make informed decisions. Throughout the year, it serves as a platform for cross-industry dialogue and networking opportunities.

Contact:
Mr. Martin GÖBEL
Phone +49 69 756081-54
m.goebel@vdw.de

GrindingHub is the world’s leading trade fair for grinding technology and covers the entire value chain. Since 2022, it has been held every two years in Stuttgart and is organized by the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) in cooperation with Messe Stuttgart and with Swissmem as the conceptual sponsor.

Exhibitors include manufacturers of machines and tools, suppliers of abrasives and process solutions, as well as companies from the fields of automation and measurement technology. The target visitor groups are diverse: experts from production, production planning, and quality assurance, toolmakers, decision-makers from the customer industries of machine and plant engineering, tool and mold making, cutting tool mechanics, automotive and vehicle construction, metalworking.

At GrindingHub 2024, approximately 500 exhibitors from 31 countries presented their products, including 43 Chinese companies. More than 11,100 trade visitors took the opportunity to exchange ideas about technologies and innovations in grinding technology. This technology is one of the three most important manufacturing processes in the machine tool industry in Germany.

Visitor registration

Contact:
Mr. Martin GÖBEL
Phone +49 69 756081-54
m.goebel@vdw.de

umati (universal machine technology interface) is the global initiative for open communication interfaces for the machine building industries and their customers. Machine builders, software producers, component suppliers, and users unite in a strong community to promote the use of open, standardized interfaces based on OPC UA companion specifications. umati ensures uniform implementation, provides a platform for sharing experience, and creates visibility in the market.

umati facilitates the exchange of data between machines, components and installations and its integration into customer- and user-specific IT ecosystems – easily, seamlessly and securely.

OPC UA provides a communication framework between devices on the shop floor. Standardized data models, which are defined in OPC UA Companion Specifications, can be easily supplemented with customer- and manufacturer specific data. For machinery, the main companion specification is the OPC UA for Machinery, which contains basic modules for the machine interface. These modules are crucial for the entire machine and plant engineering sector. The OPC UA for Machine Tools represents a major milestone for the machine tool sector.

umati live demonstration

Contact:
Mr. Götz GÖRISCH
Phone +49 69 756081-64
info@umati.org
www.umati.org